Slade Star Noddy Holder Appears Healthy Years After Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
The 80-year-old musician attended a charity event, six years after being told he had six months to live following a battle with throat cancer.
Slade's Noddy Holder, 80, appeared healthy and in good spirits at a charity event on Saturday, more than six years after receiving a terminal diagnosis for throat cancer. Holder attended The Trauma Research charity ball in Manchester alongside his wife, Suzan. He was seen mingling with other attendees, including Kerry Katona and a Beetlejuice impersonator.
Holder's public appearance comes as a positive update for fans, considering he was given six months to live following his diagnosis approximately six years ago. He revealed his battle with oesophageal cancer in October 2023, having kept the news private for some time. He underwent a novel form of chemotherapy at a Manchester hospital, which has been instrumental in managing his condition.
"I did have oesophageal cancer and that was five years ago and, at the moment, they're still keeping a check on me," Holder told Sky News previously. "I'm on a level playing field at the moment after at the time being diagnosed with six months to live. So I've lasted the course, as it were."
His wife, Suzan, described the devastating impact of the diagnosis in an emotional piece for Great British Life, stating, "Five years ago we were given the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only had six months to live." She explained their decision to keep the news private, confiding only in close family and friends. "We told only immediate close family and friends and I will never apologise to those we did not confide in, only to those who were forced to suffer pain and anguish alongside us as we attempted to navigate our way through this new and horrifying world."
Suzan also noted Holder's positive outlook throughout the ordeal. He received treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, where he responded well to the experimental chemotherapy. "There were no guarantees, no one knew if it would have any effect, let alone work miracles, but he responded well," Suzan wrote. "As anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis will know, the experts never like to use the word 'cure', but here we are five years later and he’s feeling good and looking great."
Holder, who has been married to Suzan since 2004, was previously married to Leandra Russell from 1976 to 1984, with whom he has two daughters. He and Suzan also have a son named Django.
Slade, the band with which Holder achieved fame, had six UK Number One singles during their career, with "Merry Xmas Everybody" in 1973 being their most famous hit. Holder is no longer part of Slade, but guitarist Dave Hill continues to perform with a current lineup of the band. This year marks 35 years since the original lineup of Slade performed together for the last time before splitting in 1991.